The Carefree Fly-Front Coat

Let couture designer Kenneth D. King show you how to sew a timeless tailored coat as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside.

Create a classic fly-front coat by combining secrets of old-world tailoring with couture designer Kenneth D. King’s own innovative techniques. Sew luxurious seam finishes, shape the perfect collar, install jacket sleeves and shoulder pads and finish the coat with hand-sewing techniques used by the masters. This class includes a free Vogue pattern. The Carefree Fly-Front Coat is the perfect introduction to tailoring, taught step-by-step by one of the most respected teachers and designers in the sewing world.

Lesson plan

Lesson 1. Meet Kenneth D. King & Get Started

Meet Kenneth D. King, learn about his inspiration for the class and get started with the nuts and bolts of planning your project.

14:30

Lesson 2. Drafting the Details

Kenneth shows how to draft various components of your coat, from the front facing to the back yoke and lining.

21:08

Lesson 3. Front Facing, Lining & Binding

Stay-stitch your curves and bind your jacket pieces with a polished Hong Kong finish. Kenneth will show you how!

15:47

Lesson 4. Preparing the Sleeves

You'll make a cuff latch and learn how to get sharp corners and clean topstitching on your sleeves. Kenneth also shows how to finish your cuffs and sew the sleeve lining.

33:44

Lesson 5. Constructing the Collar

A well-constructed collar is key to a professional-looking garment. Learn Kenneth's tips for drafting, sewing, grading and pressing.

30:38

Lesson 6. Body & Inseam Pockets

As you assemble the front of the coat, you'll be incorporating pockets at the seam line. Kenneth guides you step-by-step through the process.

12:16

Lesson 7. Adding the Fly Front

Kenneth demonstrates how to attach the lining to your coat and add the fly facings to create the front fly.

24:30

Lesson 8. Pressing, Buttonholes & Hem

A good pressing is key to a great-looking garment. Learn Kenneth's professional tips, and follow along as he adds buttonholes, closes the fly front and adds topstitching.

39:46

Lesson 9. Sleeves & Shoulder Pads

Don't let sleeves intimidate you! With Kenneth's guidance, you'll shape your sleeve cap, pin and sew it in, then make and install a sleeve head and shoulder pad for a great silhouette.

20:43

Lesson 10. Finishing

Finish up your garment with a little hand-stitching, lining attachment and the addition of buttons. Then go model your brand-new fly-front coat!

"This was the class I had been waiting for on Craftsy – and Prof. King did not disappoint. A gentle introduction to tailoring and pattern alteration – Prof. King explained the tailoring techniques in a clear and easy to execute manner. The volume of information and tips contained in this class make it an excellent value. Best of all, it enabled me to complete my coat projects that have been in my head for a year without a clue on how to start on collars and sleeve shaping .
I would love to see more from Prof. King." - zinc6Tasmania

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Lesson 1. Meet Kenneth D. King & Get Started

Meet Kenneth D. King, learn about his inspiration for the class and get started with the nuts and bolts of planning your project.

14:30

Lesson 2. Drafting the Details

Kenneth shows how to draft various components of your coat, from the front facing to the back yoke and lining.

21:08

Lesson 3. Front Facing, Lining & Binding

Stay-stitch your curves and bind your jacket pieces with a polished Hong Kong finish. Kenneth will show you how!

15:47

Lesson 4. Preparing the Sleeves

You'll make a cuff latch and learn how to get sharp corners and clean topstitching on your sleeves. Kenneth also shows how to finish your cuffs and sew the sleeve lining.

33:44

Lesson 5. Constructing the Collar

A well-constructed collar is key to a professional-looking garment. Learn Kenneth's tips for drafting, sewing, grading and pressing.

30:38

Lesson 6. Body & Inseam Pockets

As you assemble the front of the coat, you'll be incorporating pockets at the seam line. Kenneth guides you step-by-step through the process.

12:16

Lesson 7. Adding the Fly Front

Kenneth demonstrates how to attach the lining to your coat and add the fly facings to create the front fly.

24:30

Lesson 8. Pressing, Buttonholes & Hem

A good pressing is key to a great-looking garment. Learn Kenneth's professional tips, and follow along as he adds buttonholes, closes the fly front and adds topstitching.

39:46

Lesson 9. Sleeves & Shoulder Pads

Don't let sleeves intimidate you! With Kenneth's guidance, you'll shape your sleeve cap, pin and sew it in, then make and install a sleeve head and shoulder pad for a great silhouette.

20:43

Lesson 10. Finishing

Finish up your garment with a little hand-stitching, lining attachment and the addition of buttons. Then go model your brand-new fly-front coat!

The instructor

Kenneth D. King, Instructor of The Carefree Fly-Front Coat

As a custom couture designer in Manhattan, and an adjunct professor in the Haute Couture Certificate Program at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Kenneth is an authority on sewing and fashion. He's also the author of multiple sewing books, and a contributing editor for Threads Magazine. Kenneth's work can be found in the permanent collections of museums and the private collections of celebrities like Elton John, Don Johnson, and Geena Davis. Kenneth's vast construction and patternmaking knowledge makes his classes an indispensable resource—his charisma and humor make them a joy to watch.

Ratings & reviews

Class rating

(26 reviews)

Great Class!

by Sierra99 on March 25, 2015

Great class and a great instructor. The king is very generous in sharing many fabulous sewing tricks and techniques.

Great class and a great instructor. The king is very generous in sharing many fabulous sewing tricks and techniques.

Excellent class

by Sewphistic8ed on March 11, 2015

If Kenneth will teach it, I will take it... His clear, concise and well prepared instructions are wonderful, and I particularly appreciate that he not only presents various options of executing a certain maneuver when appropriate, but also provides information on when to use what technique. As all his other classes, this one is very enjoyable, instructive and if I could give him 6 or more stars, I would. Well done!

If Kenneth will teach it, I will take it... His clear, concise and well prepared instructions are wonderful, and I particularly appreciate that he not only presents various options of executing a certain maneuver when appropriate, but also provides information on when to use what technique. As all his other classes, this one is very enjoyable, instructive and if I could give him 6 or more stars, I would. Well done!

Pattern Drafting Demystified!

by marleneki3526002 on March 6, 2015

Mr. King makes drafting the pattern for the fly front coat seem like it will be simple and successful! His instructions are clear and precise -I am really enjoying this class.

Mr. King makes drafting the pattern for the fly front coat seem like it will be simple and successful! His instructions are clear and precise -I am really enjoying this class.